The official Pokémon website has announced the details of the Pokémon Sword and Shield Fifth Season of Ranked Battles which runs throughout April 2020.

Battle with Your Strongest Pokémon Team in the Ranked Battles April Season

Compete with other Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield players around the world to earn in-game rewards.

The fifth season of Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Ranked Battles has begun and will run throughout April 2020. Test your Trainer skills in head-to-head battles with players around the world, move up the leaderboards, and earn in-game rewards.

You can head into battle with Galar Pokédex Pokémon No. 001–397, along with the following Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Slowpoke (Galarian Form), Rowlet, Dartrix, Decidueye, Litten, Torracat, Incineroar, Popplio, Brionne, and Primarina.

If you're looking to add some Gigantamax power, be aware that the following Pokémon are the only ones you can have Gigantamax versions of on your team: Charizard, Butterfree, Pikachu, Meowth, Kingler, Lapras, Eevee, Snorlax, Corviknight, Orbeetle, Drednaw, Coalossal, Flapple, Appletun, Sandaconda, Toxtricity, Centiskorch, Hatterene, Grimmsnarl, and Alcremie.

Before battle, you'll be matched up with other players of similar rank to ensure even competition. When the season concludes, the higher the tier you finish in, the greater your in-game rewards. You'll be able to earn Battle Points, mints, Ability Capsules, and Bottle Caps.

To start a Ranked Battle, select VS in the X menu, select Battle Stadium, and then select Ranked Battles. You can press the Y Button to see an overview of Ranked Battles before you begin your match.

Have fun battling, and check back later for more Ranked Battle season news.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/battle-with-your-strongest-pokemon-team-in-the-ranked-battles-april-season/

A new line of merchandise called Pokémon GalarTabi will be sold at the Pokémon Center and will be available starting April 11th, 2020. Merchandise based on the Nintendo Switch games Pocket Monsters Sword and Shield which depicts the evolution of the Galar starter Pokémon Sarunori, Hibanny and Messon, will be available at the Pokémon Centers starting on Saturday, April 11th, 2020!

There will be a mascot set featuring the 3 starters, a plushie of Armorga Flying Taxi, cookies, metal charms, short socks, and much more. Clear files and mini bath towels feature illustrations of the game world, so be sure to pay attention to them. Be sure to stock up on a variety of Pokémon merchandise and enjoy the feeling of adventure with them! Some of the items will also be available on the Amazon.co.jp Pokémon Store starting on April 18th, 2020 with pre-orders starting on April 11th, 2020 and are denoted with a （★） in the items list.

* Please Note: Depending on the situation, the release date may be postponed or canceled.

Items:

Item List:

Plushie Armorga Flying Taxi - 4,400 yen (★)
Petite Mascot Set Pokémon GalarTabi - Sarunori, Hibanny and Messon - 2,420 yen (★)
Mascot Pokémon GalarTabi Sarunori - 1,210 yen (★)
Mascot Pokémon GalarTabi Hibanny - 1,210 yen (★)
Mascot Pokémon GalarTabi Messon - 1,210 yen (★)
Mascot Pokémon GalarTabi Bachinkey - 1,430 yen (★)
Mascot Pokémon GalarTabi Rabbifuto - 1,430 yen (★)
Mascot Pokémon GalarTabi Jimereon - 1,430 yen (★)
Double Ppocket Clear File Pokémon GalarTabi - 407 yen
Three-linked Metal Charm Pokémon GalarTabi Sarunori - 880 yen (★)
Three-linked Metal Charm Pokémon GalarTabi Hibanny - 880 yen (★)
Three-linked Metal Charm Pokémon GalarTabi Messon - 880 yen (★)
3 pairs of Pokémon GalarTabi Short Socks. 6 Kinds to choose from - 1,100 yen
Acrylic Stand Charm Collection Pokémon GalarTabi - 660 yen each
6 types chosen at random.
Guest Towel Pokémon GalarTabi Bachinkey - 660 yen (★)
Guest Towel Pokémon GalarTabi Rabbifuto - 660 yen (★)
Guest Towel Pokémon GalarTabi Jimereon - 660 yen (★)
Mini Bath Towel Pokémon GalarTabi - 2,200 yen (★)
Masking Tape Pokémon GalarTabi - 660 yen (★)
Sticky Note Set Pokémon GalarTabi - 770 yen (★)
Postcard set of 6 Pokémon GalarTabi - 550 yen (★)
Lunch box of 4 Pokémon GalarTabi - 1,980 yen (★)
PET Stickers Pokémon GalarTabi - 550 yen (★)
Rubber Strap Collection Pokémon GalarTabi - 660 yen
10 types chosen at random.
Stand Pack Cookies Pokémon GalarTabi - 680 yen
Die Cut Pass Case - Pokémon GalarTabi - 1,650 yen (★)
Pouch - Pokémon GalarTabi - 770 yen (★)
Plastic cup Pokémon GalarTabi Sarunori - 770 yen (★)
Plastic Cup Pokémon GalarTabi Hibanny - 770 yen (★)
Plastic cup Pokémon GalarTabi Messon - 770 yen (★)

Source: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2020/03/200327_p02.html

The official Pokémon website has announced that Gigantamax versions of Charizard, Garbodor, Copperajah and Duraludon will appear more frequently in Max Raid Battles until April 27th, 2020, at 4:59 p.m. PDT in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield.

Gigantamax Charizard, Garbodor, Copperajah, and Duraludon Appear in Max Raid Battles

Journey into the Wild Area to catch these powerful arriving Pokémon.

Get ready for a Gigantamax take-over in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, as Gigantamax versions of Charizard, Garbodor, Copperajah, and Duraludon will appear more frequently in Max Raid Battles until April 27, 2020, at 4:59 p.m. PDT. Head into the Wild Area and begin your search for these elusive Gigantamax Pokémon.

To challenge these Pokémon in a Max Raid Battle, you'll need to connect your Nintendo Switch system to the internet. Then, whenever you see a pillar of light shining from a Pokémon Den in the Wild Area, you can walk up to the Pokémon Den and interact with it to start a Max Raid Battle with a Dynamax Pokémon. While Gigantamax Pokémon are appearing more frequently in Max Raid Battles, you'll sometimes encounter one of them instead of a Dynamax Pokémon. Outside of these special time periods, encountering a Gigantamax Pokémon is extremely rare.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/gigantamax-charizard-garbodor-copperajah-and-duraludon-appear-in-max-raid-battles/

Nintendo published a Nintendo Direct Mini today which it revealed new information about the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass. High resolution artwork and screenshots from the press release has been added to an Imageboard thread. Our Nintendo Direct page has also been updated with the latest information.


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NEW POKÉMON G-MAX MOVES AND MORE UNVEILED

BELLEVUE, WA—March 26, 2020—Today, The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo revealed new details for the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, including G-Max Moves that only Evolutions of the first-partner Pokémon in the Galar region—Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon—can use. Trainers can also look forward to new League Card designs and an early-purchase bonus.

Gigantamax Discoveries
In The Isle of Armor (Expansion Pass part one), Trainers will be able to help some of the Pokémon traveling with them gain the ability to Gigantamax. This led to the discovery of the Gigantamax forms for Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon. The G-Max Moves that these Gigantamax Pokémon can perform are tremendously powerful, packing an even greater punch than normal Max Moves or G-Max Moves. They also all ignore the effects of the target’s Ability!


Gigantamax Rillaboom
Grass-type attacks used by Gigantamax Rillaboom will change to G-Max Drum Solo. With this move, Rillaboom strikes up a beat with the sticks on its hands and elegantly controls tree roots with its spectacular drumming skill. It will then make these tree roots erupt from beneath the opponent, dealing massive damage.


Gigantamax Cinderace
Fire-type attacks used by Gigantamax Cinderace will change to G-Max Fireball. With this powerful move, Cinderace will use its powerful legs to kick a gigantic fireball at the opponent, causing an explosion when it hits.


Gigantamax Inteleon
Water-type attacks used by Gigantamax Inteleon will change to G-Max Hydrosnipe. With this move, Inteleon will take aim from the top of its towering tail, gathering water at its fingertip before blasting it at the opponent. The water is launched with such force and speed that it causes a huge explosion when it hits and packs a greater punch than other Max Moves.

New League Card Designs and Early-Purchase Bonus

Pokémon Trainers in the Galar region make in-game League Cards to introduce themselves. As Trainers progress in their adventure in The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra, backgrounds, effects, and frames that were not available in the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games will be added. Players can also change their League Card using Rotomi’s Card Maker feature and use these new designs, outfits, and hair styles to create their unique League Card.

Trainers who purchase either the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass or the Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass soon after the launch of The Isle of Armor expansion (or players who have already prepurchased it) will be able to receive Leon’s cap and tights as an early-purchase in-game bonus. Players will be able to receive these items after the release of The Isle of Armor (by the end of June 2020) until 7:59 a.m. PDT on Monday, August 31, 2020.

The Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and the Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, new downloadable content for the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games, will contain The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra expansions, two separate adventures that will enable fans to meet new characters, catch newly discovered Pokémon, and explore new areas in the Galar region. The Isle of Armor is scheduled to be released by the end of June 2020, and The Crown Tundra in the fall of 2020.

YouTube Clip - Nintendo Direct Mini 3.26.20

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubRf4zyEvG4

YouTube Clip - More Gigantamax action comes to the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiff3CU27UM

YouTube Clip - Pokémon Sword & Pokémon Shield - Towers of Two Fists (Nintendo Switch)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwAOaXHO1Ik

The official Pokémon website has announced that Galarian Rapidash, Galarian Darumaka, Mandibuzz, Sirfetch’d, and more version-exclusive Pokémon might appear in Max Raid Battles from Wednesday, March 18th, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. PDT until Wednesday, March 25th, 2020, at 4:59 p.m. PDT in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield.

Galarian Rapidash, Galarian Darumaka, Mandibuzz, Sirfetch’d, and more version-exclusive Pokémon might appear in Max Raid Battles

Take this opportunity to catch Pokémon that don’t normally appear in the wild in your game version, as well as other Pokémon that may be hard to find.

From Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. PDT until Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at 4:59 p.m. PDT, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield players may encounter some Pokémon that may be hard to find in Max Raid Battles. All players may encounter Dynamax Escavalier, Accelgor, and Pincurchin more frequently in Max Raid Battles. Plus, Pokémon Sword players might encounter Dynamax Galarian Rapidash, Galarian Corsola, Mandibuzz, Oranguru, and female Indeedee. While Pokémon Shield players might encounter Dynamax Galarian Darumaka, Braviary, Passimian, Sirfetch'd, and male Indeedee instead. These Pokémon normally do not appear in these game versions, so it's a great opportunity to work toward completing your Galar Pokédex.

To challenge these Pokémon in a Max Raid Battle, you'll need to connect your Nintendo Switch™ system to the internet. Then, whenever you see a pillar of light shining from a Pokémon Den in the Wild Area, you can walk up to the Pokémon Den and interact with it to start a Max Raid Battle with a Dynamax Pokémon. In extremely rare cases, a Gigantamax Pokémon can appear instead of a Dynamax Pokémon.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/galarian-rapidash-galarian-darumaka-mandibuzz-sirfetchd-and-more-version-exclusive-pokemon-might-appear-in-max-raid-battles/

From March 27th, 2020 until April 19th, 2020, the Pokémon Collecting Guide (ポケモンあつめようガイド), which is packed with tips for completing the Pokémon Zukan, will be distributed at participating stores in Japan including Geo, TSUTAYA, and Joshin. The guide comes with special Dynamax Crystal (ダイクリスタル) serial codes to allow players of Pocket Monsters Sword and Shield participate in a special Max Raid Battles against Stonjourner and Eiscue. The serial codes can be used until April 30th, 2020.

Source: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2020/03/200319_gm02.html